Cabinet show case



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

{N Model.)

BAUM. CABINET SHOW CASE.

Patented Jan. 3

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0. BAUM.

- CABINET SHOW CASE. No. 375,980. Patented Jan. 3, 1888.

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N. PETERS. Phulo-Uflwgnphnr. wzuhingion. n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES BAUM, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CABINET SHOW=CASYE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,980, dated January 3, 1888.

Application filed October 18, 1887. Serial No.i5:2,730. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, CHARLES BAUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District ofGolumbia, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Cabinet Show- Cascs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to cabinets employed for exhibiting merchandise; and it consistsin a device whereby a large variety of goods can be displayed within a show-case and be held therein in separation in movable compartments, all as hereinafter fullydescribed, illustratedin the drav'vings, and specifically pointed out in the claims. V

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference point out similar parts on each figure, Figure l is aperspective view ofa show-case inclosing a compartment-cabinet embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a portion of the back of the device. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line a roof Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view of one of the sliding compartments.

In the drawings, A represents a case having a frame, a, and glass panels a, common in such devices. Said case has,preferably,an obliquelyinclined front, as plainly shown in the drawings. It is interiorly supplied with a series of transverse partitions, B, rigidly connected to the bottom and rear frame of the case. Said partitions have their lower and back edges in straight lines at about right angles to each other to conform to the configuration of the parts of the case to which they are attached. Forwardly, said partitions are cut away in a series of steps in successive progression from the bottom to the upper one, the risers b of'which being sloped toward the rear. Each partition is provided with a series of horizontal cleats, b, forming tracks or ways as guides for passage to and fro of the sliding compartments, as presently more particularly set forth.

0 represents drawers or compartments, each adapted to be independently slid forward and backward between the several partitions. My invention contemplates the provision of tiers of these compartments, each tier being of different length, the longer ones to be the lowermost, the upper ones in succession of respectively decreased length graduated to conform to the length of the several steps of the partitions B. The front panel of these compartments is sloped, so that when closed in place between the partitions said front panels will all be in alignment with the plane of the respective risers b of the partitions,and thus comprise tiers of sliding drawers, .the upper portions and forward panels of each compartmentii'i all of the tiers forming a series ofsteps, whereby the contents of each compartment is visible through the transparent panels of the casing. Each compartment has its front end sloping, and said frontis preferably supplied with a glass panel,as b although said panel may be of wood or any opaque material and be within the scope of my invention. In the drawings I illustrate front panels of both characters. On each side of the front panel is a vertical groove or flange,b for the purpose ofadjusting therein a price-ticket, b, orany suitable advertisement, whichticket may be of dimensions to entirely cover up the panel, or of'smaller size,to he slid within the grooves b to any position within said grooves. The back I) of each compartment is provided with lateral flanges b which overlap the frame-work at the rear of the case to limit the passage of said compartments within the case.

It will be seen from the drawings that each compartment B is practically an open-top box, within which can be placed suitable merchandise, and that when said compartments are entirely within the case-as, for instance, the three upper ones in Fig. 3part of the contents of each Wvill be in View. Thus by employment of my invention a large variety of goods can be displayed in a convenient manner in a comparatively small space, entirely protected from dust, and exposed to inspection of customers withoutbeingunnecessarilyhandled or any risk of abstraction by dishonest persons, which is often the casein crowded stores when small wares are displayed on counters or in open cartoons, 7

By my invention any one of the series of either of the tiers can beindependently entirely withdrawn from the case, as required by a customer, the necessary quantity of goods taken out rearward of the case and the special compartment readily replaced in its proper division. 7

In many lines of trade it is only practicable to displaygoods to customers by opening closed bundles, boxes, and packages, thus involving great labor on sales-clerks, often seriously deteriorating articles by frequent unpacking and repacking, and such goods thus become shop worn and depreciate in value. These difficulties will largely disappear by the employment of my invention, which is specially adapted for display of ribbons, hosiery, per fumery, gloves, drugs, jewelry, notions, and small wares which can lie loosely within the several compartments uncompressed and untied, thus prcsentingtheir natural appearance.

I am aware that packing-cases have been heretofore made with tiers of trays of uniform width, but-all graduated in length, so that each respective upper tray will leave a portion of the next under one uncovered, and I make no claim, broadly, thereto; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is-- 1. A cabinet for displaying merchandise, consisting of a series of horizontally-sliding open-top compartments arranged in tiers, the compartments of each upper tier being successively shorter in length than the next underlying one, in combination with uprightpartitions dividing the compartments of each tier, said partitions being cut away at their front edges in successive steps equal to the length of the respective compartments when extended upon cleats attached to the side surfaces of the partitions, as and for the purpose intended, substantially as described.

2. A cabinet for displaying merchandise, provided with parallel transverse divisional partitions 13, cut away at the front into steps having obliquely-inclined risers I), rigidly attached to the floor and back wall of a casing, said partitions provided on their side surfaces with horizontal cleats b, in combination with open-top compartments 0, having closed backs provided with lateral flanges b that limitthe forward progression of said compartments between said partitions, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a device for exhihiting merchandise, of the following elements: a showcase, A, having transparent top, sides, and front and rigid bottom and back frame, a series of transverse parallel partitions, B, firmly adjusted to the hack and floor of the case, each of said partitions being cut away forwardly into a series of steps, cleats b, ex-

tending horizontally along the sides of the partitions, tiers of sliding open-top compartments 0, arranged to be moved forward and backward along the several tracks formed by said cleats, each tier of said compartments being successively shorter in length than the next underlying compartments, all arranged as described, whereby when said compartments are introduced their full length forwardly between the partitions B the front panels, I)", will bein line with the respective adjacent risers lrol' the steps of the partitions, substantially as described.

CHARLES BAUM.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN D. TRAITEL, Anson S. TAYLOR. 

